Posterior left subphrenic space
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Dias S, Hacking C, Smith H, Posterior left subphrenic space. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-64071
Permalink:
rID:
64071
Article created:
3 Nov 2018,
Shanalie Dias
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Shanalie Dias had no recorded disclosures.
View Shanalie Dias's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures
Revisions:
3 times, by
3 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Perisplenic space
The posterior left subphrenic space (also known as the perisplenic space) is a potential space surrounding the spleen.
Gross anatomy
The posterior left subphrenic space is continuous with the anterior left subphrenic space, both are subcompartments of the left supramesocolic space.
Boundaries
- inferior: phrenicocolic ligament (separates it from the left paracolic gutter), splenorenal (or lienorenal) ligament
- superior: gastrosplenic ligament
- posterior: bare area of the spleen 1-3
Communications
- posteriorly: anterior left subphrenic space
- inferiorly: left paracolic gutter
The communication between the left posterior subphrenic space and left paracolic gutter is variable. This is because the ability of phrenicocolic ligament to restrict the communication of peritoneal fluid and infection between the two spaces is inconsistent between individuals due to variation in the presence, structure and location of the ligament 4.
Related pathology
The posterior left subphrenic space is a common location for fluid collections such as traumatic haemoperitoneum or abscess development following splenectomy 5.
References
- 1. Paul Butler, Adam W. M. Mitchell. Applied Radiological Anatomy. (1999) ISBN: 9780521481106
- 2. Marilyn J. Siegel. Pediatric Body CT. (2018) ISBN: 9780781775403
- 3. John R. Haaga, Daniel Boll. Computed Tomography & Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of The Whole Body E-Book. (2008) ISBN: 9780323076210
- 4. Tirkes T, Sandrasegaran K, Patel AA, Hollar MA, Tejada JG, Tann M, Akisik FM, Lappas JC. Peritoneal and retroperitoneal anatomy and its relevance for cross-sectional imaging. (2012) Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. 32 (2): 437-51. doi:10.1148/rg.322115032 - Pubmed
- 5. Silverman PM. The subperitoneal space: mechanisms of tumour spread in the peritoneal cavity, mesentery, and omentum. (2003) Cancer imaging : the official publication of the International Cancer Imaging Society. 4 (1): 25-9. doi:10.1102/1470-7330.2003.0027 - Pubmed
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